The Unpodcast

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed On this episode of the UnPodcast, we have a virtual marketing smorgasbord where we talk about a wide variety of topics, starting off with the things people say when they're about to be offensive. You know, things like, "My best friend is ______________" (fill in the blank with a particular race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.). We also discussed Black Friday, the craziest shopping day in the U.S. and employment laws regarding working on holidays. Other topics include: How email is like passing a note to a friend How behind the scenes actions become public How bloggers who want free stuff give all bloggers a bad name Laws related to telemarketers When we stop liking virtual reality A creepy form of marketing Family first, product second The worst thing you can do as a manager How to build loyalty with your employees The right way to take a stand for what you believe in And so much more. . . Items mentioned in this episode Philly Blog Publisher Asks Restaurants for a Free Dinner Telemarketing Robot that Pretends to be Real Liberty Bottle Works Facebook Page Tanning Salon Promotes 'Indian Color' In Misguided Thanksgiving Promo Want the free water bottle mentioned in this episode? Leave a comment below with the word, AMERICA in all caps, telling us you want a free water bottle. Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed This episode of the UnPodcast is all about how to do a better job hiring people to work for your company, and that since the strongest part of your brand is the people representing it, proper hiring is the best marketing you can do for your company. One of the best ways to hire the right people is to get to know people on social media before you actually need to do any hiring so that when the need arises, you already have candidates in mind. Other topics include: The two types of job seekers How tools for job searches have changed The #1 tip for anyone looking for a job Why hiring is not about hiring the best What to leave off your resume The best filtering to do when hiring The most subjective thing in any business The advantages of hiring someone who is currently unemployed The job of an interviewer Some of the dumbest interview questions And so much more. . .   Items mentioned in this episode Raffi Motivational Speaker Tells High School Kids 'Dateable Girls Shut Up'   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed In this episode of the UnPodcast we talk about how you’re always representing your business or the company you work for, even when posting on your personal social media accounts. Because of this, if you wouldn’t sit down in your office and shout what you’re about to post online, you shouldn’t do it. We also discussed the fact that it no longer takes a newspaper to get the word out, and that the best way to avoid hiring people who do stupid things on social media is to check their social media profiles before hiring them. Other topics include: Bootstrapping as a new business owner Why some of the best commercials are homemade The best asset of small businesses What works even better when you have no budget The best time to market The most dangerous phrase on Twitter The first goal in headline writing What gives employees a false sense of security The difference between policy and guidance What to do when you have a really strong opinion And so much more. . .   Items mentioned in this episode UnPodcast #9 We Buy Golf Clubs video Jimmy Fallon Show Why Tweets About Obese Doctors Are Never Your Own Woman Loses Benefits After Posting Facebook Pics Laraine Cook, High School Coach, Fired Over Facebook Photo That Shows Fiance Holding Her Breast Gabe Zichermann on Twitter   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed In this episode of the UnPodcast we talk about how business owners are at times overly focused on tools, when what they really need to focus on is content. We also discussed the importance of taking a stand when it comes to being paid what you’re worth, and how your client is first and foremost your client, not your friend. Advice to creatives, “Never release the files until you’ve been paid.” Other topics include: The importance of taking a stand for your pricing. Why mutual respect is important in all working relationships How to leverage word of mouth The importance of sharing reactive content Why the time of what you share isn’t as important as what you share 2 different mindsets when it comes to putting out content What really matters at the end of the day The untrainable thing in photography The importance of figuring out what you’re worth Details about a book giveaway And so much more. . . If you don’t value your time, no one else will. [Tweet This] Items mentioned in this episode Instagram Humans of New York on Instagram Humans of New York on Facebook Human of New York book Indiegogo Bill Cunningham New York Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed On this episode of the UnPodcast, we talk about the sad and depressing fact that we only designate one day per year to those who have fought for our freedom. We also discuss customer offenses, and when outrage is and is not appropriate. Other topics include: Not every occasion is an occasion for PR or newsjacking Artificial outrage The importance of remembering people in an honorable way The ill effects of being pressured to share content consistently 2 ways to spread your content Reactive content The problem with holiday sales, and when it’s okay to leverage them The importance of giving front-line customer service reps the authority to make decisions How to set up “guardrails” for your company How you can receive some Key Lime goodies for free by commenting or tweeting And so much more. . .   Items mentioned in this episode Kermit's Keywest Key Lime Shop Chip Wilson, Lululemon Yogi Pants Controversy and his apology Randi Zuckerberg's Veteran's Day Tweet   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed On this episode of the UnPodcast, we talked about people that we really admire, and in some cases almost worship, and yet who sometimes do things that make us uncomfortable, disappointed, or even mad. We also talked about whether or not you stop following someone or purchasing their products when you find out they’re a bad person, and how it takes the same amount of time to treat someone with respect as it does to blow them off. You’re always part of your business and part of your brand whether you have a nametag on or not. Other topics include: Why LinkedIn should be used for people you actually know Why I never shy away from responding to emails from idiots People who make money off of other people’s ignorance Why LinkedIn and Twitter don’t care about spammers The true definition of an act of kindness The benefits of Twitter being transparent And so much more. . .   There’s no such thing as great brands, just great people. [Tweet this] Items mentioned in this episode QR Codes Kill Kittens iPoop OnHoldWith.com Karrie Brown, Down Syndrome Model for Wet Seal   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes On this episode of the UnPodcast, we discuss what I do for a living -- speaking. We go over common misconceptions that people have about what it takes to be a speaker and what goes into a good presentation. We also talk about mistakes speakers make and how they can be avoided. You cannot walk on stage without the confidence that says, “I am the right person to be standing here right now.” Other topics include: How speaking is a way to position yourself as an authority The difference between speakers and experts who speak How speaking can hurt your brand Why you shouldn’t use the “urinal position” when speaking Why the presentation software you use doesn’t matter Some of the biggest mistakes I see made in presentations How many bullet points are too many How room size makes a difference with the presentation you create What you should never do in a presentation What you should do when something goes wrong in your presentation How to be relaxed when public speaking How to break bad speaking habits Why people hire speakers and how to best promote yourself as a speaker When a standing ovation isn’t really a standing ovation And so much more. . .   Beware of those who give you feedback when you don’t ask for it. [Tweet this] The best thing you can do is be you. [Tweet this] Items mentioned in this episode Sevenly Sheridan College Associates Not Pleased with Memo on Presentation Tips for Women   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed In this episode of the UnPodcast, we discussed how the key to social media, especially Twitter, is not just authenticity, but immediacy. Without those two things, companies are better off without social media accounts. We also discussed how failing in this area can cause a small problem to become a bigger one. Other topics include: The introduction of Zombie Batman What happens when you polarize The introduction of the “Un-Box” The difference between a customer-driven company and a customer-interrupted company The low cost of customer retention What people are looking for when they complain on social media What Twitter is all about The one job of marketing managers The two groups of people who are in marketing How to take a screw up and do something good with it And so much more. . .   When it hits the fan, it’s not time to hide behind the fan. [Tweet this] Items mentioned in this episode: Good Guy Zippo photo on Reddit How Not to Respond to a Complaint on Social Media Air Canada in Hot Water Over Lost Dog and Dismissive Email Bar Employee Makes Domestic Violence Joke to Sell Beer Shake Shack Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed On this episode of the UnPodcast, we discuss the issues associated with leveraging crises for personal gain, and how while businesses often think what they say is the brand is the brand, the reality is that their customers' perception is the brand. We also talked about why fixating on things like a new logo can be an ineffective waste of money if the business isn’t also spending time on the right things. Other topics include: Why using two different languages can lead to insults and bad PR This week’s Moron Mountain climbers Branding is. . . An example of doing newsjacking right How controversy impacts purchasing decisions Why getting people talking about your business may not be the best approach Yahoo’s new logo How Blackberry blew their last shot at relevancy Who has the most influence on your brand And so much more. . .   You won't stop customer complaints because your packaging is better. [Tweet this] Items mentioned in this episode Coke's offensive bottle cap messages Bertolli Pasta ad New Yahoo! logo video Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes On this episode of the UnPodcast, I go on a rant about morons who give unsolicited feedback based on what they don’t know, and then I balance it out with a feel good story. Alison and I also talk about ethical issues related to a lack of disclosure on blogs, T.V. programs, social media and more. Other topics include: What I do when I’m really pissed off The great thing about a podcast that’s an hour long My promise to my podcast listeners The introduction of Moron Mountain When a good deed isn’t a good deed How to get a personal phone call from Warren Buffett How sponsorship taints reviews What bloggers need to do before entering into a relationship with sponsors Two rules that I have when someone wants me to review something Fake reviews on Yelp And so much more. . .   Ethics is what you do when nobody’s watching. [Tweet this] Items mentioned in this episode Rework QR Codes Kill Kittens Dairy Queen clerk does a good deed Cmp.ly Man sued for posting fake reviews on Yelp World Class Driving Cook Source infringement controversy The Book of Business Awesome/UnAwesome   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes RSS Feed In this episode of the UnPodcast, we talked about the pressures of the book publishing industry, standard advances, and why publishers no longer hold the keys. We also discussed both ethical and unethical ways to hit the bestsellers lists, and why because of them the term, “bestseller” has lost much of its meaning.   Other topics include: Why I was sent to the special ed office when I was in high school How Alison makes my rants and rambles into something cohesive How books on Kindle and Audible sync How to turn 6 printed pages into 2 The average number of business books published each year How payola is alive and well in the book industry Why authors need a team Why I do book talks instead of book signings And so much more. . .   Items mentioned in this episode QR Codes Kill Kittens Kindle Matchbook Audible Clean Print Wiley Publishing ResultsSource Amazon affiliate program Kindle.Amazon.com Google News   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes In this episode of the UnPodcast, we talked about why making one person’s day is your job and in fact is your entire purpose in life and why you should be the "Disney" of your industry. Being great at what you do doesn’t come from a policy manual, procedure or training, but from who you are. Awesome is not in the policy manual. [Tweet this]   Other topics include: Urinal poking incidents Why sometimes you just need the Dubstep Bloody incidents at team-building happy hours The importance of caring about one sale What marketing is all about Why, “I’m not Google” isn’t a good excuse for giving subpar customer service The real job of HR Why experience has nothing to do with whether or not someone will be a good employee And so much more. . .   Items mentioned in this episode Lowering the Bar article LUSH Soap EBGames Ubisoft The Most Beautiful Ruined Moment   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes In this episode of the UnPodcast, we talked about double standards, guilt, and shaming in social media, and the right way for charities to use social media to support their cause. Other topics include: The brouhaha over Lean In’s posting for a highly skilled intern, for no compensation The ins and outs of voluntary slave labor Why our message has to be consistent, especially on the Internet Why trying to be cool in marketing is almost as bad as trying to be funny Leveraging likes the wrong way on Facebook Why data is dangerous A huge tipping point for Twitter when it comes to social injustice Why insurance gets a bad name Why you should shut up or help The benefits of hashtags without brand names on Twitter Shaming and Tweetathons How Scott has become what he hates on Twitter And so much more. . .   Items mentioned in this episode Lean In   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound

Subscribe on iTunes For Episode 1, our UnAdventure begins with the most valuable thing an entrepreneur can have, and ends on Jug Mountain. Just the podcast ride you’ve been waiting for. Hear what Alison thinks about a customer faking the grossest product shipment ever and who Scott thinks you should never mess with online. Other topics include: Why QR codes kill kittens What is, and is not, trademark infringement The dumbest move we’ve seen on the Internet. EVER. How to handle false accusations about your brand The importance of good reviews on your site When to walk away from a problem customer How to determine the difference between a troll and a customer with a legitimate complaint When to give a refund even if the customer is wrong How we've scared the crap out of brands Why it's important for the people handling social media to have authority to take care of a problem And so much more. . .     Items mentioned in this episode Beware of Those Who Ask for Feedback: And Other Organizational Constants Beauty and Fashion Tech Post Video of the girl who burned her hair with a curling iron Motrin Moms commercial Summer School movie trailer   Video provided by: AtomicSpark Audio recorded by: Wayne Cochrane Sound